​Securities Brokerage also achieved remarkable growth in Jordan where it shot up the rankings from number 50 to number 15 within the first six months of establishing a direct presence in the country EFG Hermes, the leading investment bank in the Arab world, is pleased to announce that EFG Hermes Securities Brokerage has been ranked the number one broker in Egypt and the United Arab Emirates (combining the ADX and DFM). In Egypt, Securities Brokerage maintained the number one spot ― which it has always held ― with a 13.9 percent market share, while in the UAE the division took first place in Abu Dhabi, with a 10.9 percent market share, and second-place in Dubai, with a 6.3 percent market share. Securities Brokerage also took the second place ranking for Kuwait and third place in Oman, while posting strong market share performances in Qatar, with 6.18 percent, and Bahrain, 6.12 percent. In Saudi Arabia, EFG Hermes was ranked in third place among independent brokers in the Kingdom. “Over the past three years, we have become the leading brokerage house across the region, a direct result of goals and plans we set for ourselves and achieved,” said Sherif Cararah, Managing Director and Head of EFG Hermes Securities Brokerage. “We are proud of our strong position amongst regional brokerage firms, a position that we have attained through our continuous efforts to keep ahead of the competition. We are always working on developing our services, offering new services and considering new ideas, which makes us dynamic and gives us momentum going forward.” The close of 2010 also saw Securities Brokerage achieve significant progress in Jordan following its direct market entry through the acquisition of Tadawol, a local Jordanian brokerage house. In just under six months, EFG Hermes jumped 35 places in the rankings, from the 50th spot to 15th in December, while closing the fourth quarter at number 21 overall with a 1.75 percent market share. “Our successful expansion in Jordan is a sign of things to come. The outlook going forward is positive and we expect to maintain and build upon our leading roles in Egypt, Kuwait, Oman and the United Arab Emirates, and to continue growing our market share in key markets like Saudi Arabia,” Cararah said. EFG Hermes Securities Brokerage is a leader in the regional brokerage field, consistently posting top rankings in key regional markets ranging from Egypt to key Gulf Cooperation Council markets. The team’s innovative approach to client relationships has set EFG Hermes Securities Brokerage apart from regional competitors. In October, the team hosted a landmark event bringing approximately 1,000 clients together with senior management in Cairo, one of the first gatherings geared specifically for individual investors in the region. This innovative work earned the division a strong showing in 2010. EFG Hermes Securities Brokerage took numerous awards including Best Brokerage in the Middle East at the Banker Middle East Industry Awards in June, and Best Broker for Egypt and Kuwait at the Global Investor Middle East 2010 awards in November.